The Press., 1887-09-22
BILL sYE,s TALK.

the marked success. From the opening speech to the baseball contest and greased pole doings, everything was harmonious, and the receipts were satisfactory. Coll. Forsyth Heeley acted as marshal of the day, wearing a maroon sash and mounted on his horse Mambrino King.
 After a pleasant and courteous address by Rev. Mir. Meeks, in which he laid be- fore the Lord a national policy which he felt certain would make a great hit, our glee club sang:
 Oh, say can you see, etc.
 Judge Larraby read the Declaration of Independence in rich, dark red voice, and a self made man from Hickory town ship delivered the following impromptu address, the manuscript of which ho kind ly furnished to the Record Statesman
 "FELLow CITIZENS: is the ami versary of the day when freedom towards all and malice towards none first got foot hold in this country. And we are now to celebrate that day. l say that on that day Tireny and usurpation got a set back that they will never recover from. We then paved the way for the poor, oppressed for eigner, so that he could come to our shores and take liberties with our form of govern ment
 "On the day that Button Gwinnett put his name to the statement that all men was created more or less equal, the spot on which we now stand was bowling wilder ness. Where wonder lemonade stand now stands and realizes a clean profit of S4735 on an investment of $6 50, the rank thistle nodded in the wynd and the wild fox dug his hole unscared. If you do not believe this refer you to the principal of our public school, who is to-day assisting in | tha y1,,n 1a st,t ha aal 1f ending his alto horn to pour out about a teacupful of liquid melody that he had left over from the last tune.
 "And why is this Why are we to-day free people, with a surplus in the treasury that nobody can get Loud applause and squeals from a grass fed horse tied to tree who is being kicked by red 2year. old owned by the pathmaster of road dis trict No. g.
 "Why are our resources so great that they almost equal our liabilities Why is every done to make it pleasant for the rich man and every inducement held out for the poor man to accumulate more and more poverty Why is it that so much is said about the tariff by men who do not support their families ?
 "One hundred years ago the tastes of our people were simple Now it takes 80
 
 that the people don't get n chance at it. A century ago, common, home made rum was the only relaxation known to plaiu but abstemious people. Now it takes a man with mighty good memory to recall the names of some of the things he has drunk when his wife asks him about it on the following morning. l claim to have good memory of names and things gener- ally, but if you want to have me mixed up and have fun with me, you can do it that way.
 "But, fellow citizens, how can we best preserve the blessing of freedom and fork it over uuimpaired to our children How can we enhance the blood bought right which IS inherent in every human being, of the people, for the people, and by the people, where tyrant foot hath never trod nor bigot forged a chain, for to look back from our country's glorious natal day or forward to glorious, happy and pros porous future with regard to purity of the ballot and free speech. I say, for one, we cannot do otherwise. Prolonged
 "I would rather have my right hand cleave to the roof of my mouth than to ut- ter a sentiment that I would regret, but l say that as a people as a nation, or as m inalienable right which no man can gain say or successfully controvert, not for DO. litical purposes, and yet am often led to inquire whither we are drifting, not only as a people and as a nation, but as a country and as a joint school dis trict.
 "I tell you the seeds of vice and wicked. ness is often sowed at school in the minds of the young by teachers who are paid n large salary to do far different. What do you think of a man who would open n school with prayer and then converse free ly about the alimentary canal ? Such man would lead a life of the deepest infamy if he had the least encouragement.
 So I say, fellow citizens, that we must guard against the influence of the public schools as n nation, for the people, of the people and by the people. Education K often blessing in disguise, but we should not pry into things that the finite mind has no business with. How much was Calico ahead in the long run for going out of his sphere? He was boycotted from morning till night and dIed poor. Look at Demos themes. Look at Diogenes. They pried into science, and both of them was poor providers and have since died. or course their names are frequently used in debating schools, and some claim that this is big pay for what they went through, but l say give me high stepping horse, the bright smile of dear ones who are not related to me in any way, the approval of the admir- ing throng, large woody dog that will do as tell him, a modest little home and un- limited credit at the store, and l don't care how much B, will have to use off from the diameter of a given grindstone for which he paid an undivided one-tifteenth.
 ''I know this is regarded as a queer doc. Urine by what is called our more advanced thinkers, but say let every man who pants for fame select hIs own style of pant and go ahead. 1 bid him n most hearty god speed and hope he will do we'll.
 "But again. In closing let me say that we owe it it to our common country to loo peaceable citizens aud pay our taxes with out murmuring. The time to get in our fine work is on the valuation, and it is too late to kick after that. Let us cultivate a spirit of lofty patriotism, but believe noth- ing just to oblige others. I used to be a great believer in anything that was sub mitted for my approval.
 "I am here to state that, as n boy and man, have been a constant user of Amer ican freedom for over fifty years, and truly say that feel no desire to turn back also that there will be grand, free for all, scuffie for a greased pig on the vacant lot south of the church at o'clock, after which fireworks will be served to those who de- sire to remain"